In a major relief for the activist Teesta Setalvad, asked to “surrender immediately” earlier this month by the Gujarat High Court in a case linked to the 2002 Gujarat riots, the Supreme Court on Wednesday, granted her bail. The court, in its observations while granting bail noted that the charge sheet had been filed against Ms Setalvad, eliminating the necessity for custodial interrogation. However, the Supreme Court directed Ms Setalvad not to influence witnesses in the ongoing case. Ms Setalvad who has been battling for the survivors of the Gujarat riots has been repeatedly harassed by Gujarat government and also by agencies since BJP came to power in the centre.
Her efforts to try to get justice for the victims of the Gujarat riots are well known across the world. It is sad that she had to endure so much trouble including a smear campaign and character assassination for standing up for the victims of the riot. If people who fight for the justice of victims are harassed like this in future no one will come forward to help the needy people. People like Teesta Setalvad need support and protection from the like minded citizens of this country. Today she is suffering; tomorrow it may be the turn of others. The decision of the SC to reverse the order of Gujarat High Court and provide her bail will boost the morale of every right thinking citizen of India. It has restored the faith of powerless people in the judiciary. The judgment of SC is truly inspiring.